Compartmented drum washing machine for textiles, especially laundry



Filed Sept. 21, 1954 J. SULZMANN 2,938,367

E. MPARTMENTED DRUM WASHING MACHINE FOR TEXTILES, ESPECIALLY LAUNDRY 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 onna can: an a nu a a a a a a a a o a n A a o a u o a o a a INVENTOR. Ema; Jo 5 e su zmann May 31, 1960 E. J. SULZMANN 2,938,367

- COMPARTMENTED DRUM WASHING MACHINE FOR TEXTILES, ESPECIALLY LAUNDRY Filed Sept. 21, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. A r c/ J3 579; 59/2 man United States Patent COMPARTMENTED DRUM WASHING MACHINE FOR TEXTILES, ESPECIALLY LAUNDRY Erich Joseph Sulzmann, Bahnhofstr. 13, Bremen- St. Magnus, Germany Filed Sept. 21, 1954, Ser. No. 457,335

Claims priority, application Germany Sept. 23, 1953 11 Claims. (CI. 68-58) The present invention relates to washing machines and, more particularly, to washing machines having a normally stationary outer drum or casing and an inner rotatable drum or basket. With such machines, the laundry bath is in the outer drum and the laundry to be washed is in the inner drum. The walls of the inner drum are provided with perforations so that the bath can circulate from the inner to the outer drum and vice versa during the washing process. The inner and outer drums contain the same bath at the same level. V

It is an object of the present invention to improve washing machines of the above-mentioned type for a more economic washing process.

It is another object of this invention to provide a laundry machine having an outer drum and an inner drum in which the dirt loosened during the washing process from the laundry cannot mix with the water in the outer drum.

Still another object of this invention consists in providing a laundry machine having an outer drum and an inner drum, which will materially facilitate the operation of the machine and will allow the washing ingredients to be added to the water between the innerand outer drum directly at the start of the washing process.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly from the following specification in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 diagrammatically indicates a section through a washing machine according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a section taken along the line II-II of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a section taken along the line IIIIII of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 illustrates another embodiment of a washing machine according to the invention in which the inner drum is provided with perforations at the end surfaces thereof.

Fig. 5 is a section taken along the line VV of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a section taken along the line VI-VI of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 illustrates in perspective a portion of a scoop or pocket employed in Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a scoop or pocket employed in the arrangement of Fig. 4.

Fig. 9 shows a modification of a detail of the present invention.

Figs. 10, 11 and 12 illustrate in cross section different embodiments of scoops or pockets adjacent partitions in the drum for discharging the laundry bath.

General arrangement It has been found according to the present invention that a material advantage, in connection with laundry machines comprising an inner and an outer drum, is obtained when the laundry bath contacting the laundry during the washing operation is limited to the inner drum whereas the outer drum is used as a storage and/or mixing container and for preheating the bath to be employed for washing the laundry.

In this connection, however, it is necessary that the inner drum not only agitates the laundry but also has asso-- ciated therewith means for discharging the laundry bath which has been used up by absorbing the dirt from the laundry. The discharge of the bath must take place to such an extent that the bath level in the inner drum will always be lower than the water level in the outer drum so that the flow of the water will always be from the outer drum into the lower drum. Therefore, according to the present invention, Water is supplied to the outer drum in a continuous flow to such an extent that the flow of water from the outer drum to the inner drum is controlled in such a manner that the water level in the outer drum will be higher than the water level of the laundry bath in the inner drum. While thus fresh water is continuously supplied to the outer drum, water is discharged in a continuous flow from the inner drum. The flow of water from the outer drum to the inner drum may be controlled in any convenient manner but at any rate is controlled or choked so that the desired difference in the water level of the water in the outer drum and thelaundry bath in the'inner drum will be maintained. This control may be effected by providing the innerdrum with limited perforated areas effecting intercornmunication between the outer and inner drums.

According to another feature of the present invention, the discharge of the laundry bath from the inner drum takes place centrally in the neighborhood of the axis of rotation, for instance, laterally into a pipe.

Other features of the invention consist in the particular arrangement and design of the perforated portions of the inner drum and inthe application of pockets ad-- jacent partitions subdividing the inner drum, which. pockets serve for discharging the laundry bath.

Still another feature of the invention consists in the an rangement of certain means for supplying the water and chemicals as well as other ingredients used in connection with the washing process into the outer drum. These various features materially improve the carrying out of the washing operation as will be explained in detail further below.

It may, however, be mentioned already at this place that the technical advance over the heretofore known washing methods with individual washing machines consists in that a fresh water bath continuously flows from the outer drum into the inner drum and that the washing operation can be carried out with a minimum of wash water while the dirt can be discharged in an extremely quick manner, and that following the washing operation proper only a relatively small quantity of water is required for. the rinsing process.

Structural arrangement Referring now to the drawings in detail and Figs. 1 and 2 thereof in particular, the washing machine shown therein comprises an outer drum 10 which is provided with an inlet, for instance, a funnel 12 for receiving fresh water from any desired fresh water supply 11 which may be-a pipeor hose or the like. The arrangement is such that water continuously flows from the' water supply 11 through the funnel 12 into the outer drum 10 while water is continuously discharged from the drum 10 into the inner rotatable drum 14, so that the water level in drum 10 will be held at a desired height, for instance, at the level 15, which latter is selected in conformity with the desired level in the inner drum'14. The desired level in the inner drum 14 may be varied -in conformity with the quantity of laundry to be washed in the inner drum; If a greater quantity of water is desired in theinner drum 14, the continuous flow of water into the outer drum 10 is'increased, whereas-the continuous flow of, water into drum 10 is decreased when a lower water level in drum 14 for Washing a correspondingly smaller quantity of laundry is desired.

However, according to a preferred practice, the outer drum always receives in a continuous flow the same quantity of water per time unit while the washing time is either decreased or increased.v In other words, if the drum 14 contains a greater laundry load, the washing period is increased, whereas the washing period will be decreased, when the laundry load in drum 14 is smaller (the degree of soiling of the laundry being assumed to be substantially the same).

According to the present invention, the water level in the inner drum is automatically held lower than the water level in the outer drum by means which will be explained later. Thus, for instance, Fig. 1 shows the water level in the inner drum at 13 and the water level in the outer drum at 15. If desired, the outer drum 10 may furthermore be provided with one or more containers 16, 17 adapted to receive the various chemicals and ingredients used in connection with the washing process such as soap, bleaching means, alkalis, reviving means, sours etc. In such an instance, it is advantageous to provide the main water supply line 11 with a branch line 50 (Fig. 2) which ends in a tiltable spout 51 adapted selectively to be adjusted for admitting water into container 16 or into container 17. The said chemicals and washing ingredients are filled into said containers 16 and 17 whenever needed and in any desired sequence. These chemicals and ingredients, prior to the admission of water, are preferably below the level of the branching off point of pipes 52 and 53a both of which lead into the outer drum. Then, when water is admittedfrom spout 51 into the container 16 or 17, the water will dissolve the respective ingredient, and only the dissolved overflow will pass through pipe 52 or pipe 53a into the outer drum 10.

While in Fig. 2 the containers 16 and 17 are shown as individual containers with individual connecting conduits 52, 53a, it is, of course, also possible to arrange the containers 16 and 17 in series.

it is, of course, understood that, if desired, the con,- tainers 16 and 17 may be discarded and the outer drum may be provided with an additional inlet through which the various chemicals and ingredients may be added manually by means of cups or the like. Of course, if desired, the chemicals and other ingredients may also be added through the funnel 12.

As has been stated above, while fresh water is continuously supplied to the outer drum 10, wash water is continuously discharged from the inner drum 14. To this end, the inner drum is partitioned in a manner known per so by one or more partitions 18. Each of the thus created compartments 14a, 14b of the inner drum 14 is provided with a relatively small perforated surface 20 which preferably does not extend over the entire surface of the inner drum but is limited so that only a small perforated strip is provided. The perforated area 20 may, for instance, be arranged opposite the partition 18 in the neighborhood of the rib 19. It will be appreciated that in this way, when the inner drum rotates in the outer drum, there will for each 180 revolution of drum 14 be only a short and restricted communication between the interior of the inner drum 14 and the interior of the outer drum 10. Thus, a kind of damming up the water in the outer drum will occur so that the water levelv in the inner drum will be lower than the water level in the outer drum.

In order properly to regulate the washing process, the operator has to observe (a) the flow of water passing into a continuous stream from the fresh water supply 11 intothe outer drum 10. To this end, the 'supply line 11 is preferably provided with a flow meter 11b and a valve 11a. (11) the flow of' water being discharged from the inner drum 14 has likewise to be observed as to" dis charged per time unit, and as totemperature, and contents (dirt). To this end, the discharge pipe is preferably provided with a flow meter 25a, thermometer 25b, and an observation glass 250.

The discharge of the bath from the inner drum 14 is preferably effected centrally near the axis of rotation, for instance, into a funnel 22 adjacent the axle or shaft 21. For this purpose, the shaft 21 has arranged on two opposite sides thereof pockets 23 (Figs. 1', 7) which extend to both sides of the partition 18 and are provided with a perforated area 24 through which each of the compartments 14a and 14b communicates with the pockets 23 and 24. Thesepockets 23 and24- communicate with the funnel 22. The funnel 22 in its turn communicates outside the drum 10 with the discharge passage 25. If desired, the shaft may be surrounded along its entire length by a pipe communicating with the pockets 23. The washing machine, furthermore, comprises a discharge connection or pipe 26 with a corresponding shut-off valve 26a for completely emptying the outer and the inner drum.

Heating means 28 are arranged in the lower portion of the outer drum. These heating means may be of any desired type and may represent pipes receiving heat, for instance, in form of steam, through pipe 29. However, if desired, steam may also be directly conveyed into the washing machine. Of course, the washing machine according to the present invention is not limited to heating by steam only, but other heating means, for instance, electric means,may be applied.

. Finally, the outer drum 10 may also be provided with a thermometer 10A to indicate the temperature of the water in drum 10.

Referring now to the embodiment shown in Figs. 4 to 6, the washing machine shown therein is provided with perforated areas 27 arranged in each of the compartments 14 a and 14% which perforations are arranged at the end surfaces of the inner drum 14 and serve the same purpose as the perforations 20 of Fig. l. Preferably the said perforations 27 are arranged at or near the center of each compartment 14 11, 14%. The said perforated areas 27 thus represent small windows through which the washing liquid may enter into the inner drum directly from the outer drum.

The other parts of the machine shown in Figs. 4 to 6 are similar to those described in connection with Figs. 1 and 2 and, therefore, the various parts have been designated by the same numerals as those used in Figs. 1 and 2, they have, however, been primed.

Fig. 9 illustrates a modification concerning the passage for the water from the outer drum into the inner drum. More specifically, below the washing rib 19 arranged on bothsides of theend surfaces of the inner drum, there is provided a chamber 31 which communicates through an opening 32 of the inner drum 14a with the outer drunrltla. The modification shown in Fig. 9 furthermore comprises deviating means 33'spaced from thewashing rib 19 to assure the flow of water to the laundry when the laundry contacts the washing rib 19.

Whereas, according to Fig. 1, only the front surfaces of the pockets 23 are provided with perforations 24, the pockets 23b of the modification shown in Fig. 10 are provided with perforated walls 24b which latter extend over a. portion of the partitions 18b and taper toward the adjacent wall of the inner drum 14b.

According to Fig. 11, the pockets 23c extend all the way and above and below the partitions 18c toward the wall of the inner drum 14c while the perforations are indicated by the reference numeral 240.

The modification of Fig. 12 differs from that of Fig. ll in that the walls of the pockets 23d funnel out toward the wall 14d of the inner drum. The perforated areas are indicated by the reference numeral 24d. Also in this instance the pockets 23d extend to both sides of the partitions 18d.

The machine according to. the present invention may be driven and journalled in any convenient. manner. Inasmuch as the drive and the journalling of the machine do other direction, the perforated pockets near the partitions scoop water from the respective compartment and discharge said water from the inner drum.

Operation The washing process with the machine according to the present invention is carried out in the following manner. First the machine is loaded with laundry and filled with water to the desired extent. After the laundry has been soaked, water is continuously supplied through pipe 11 and valve 11a into the outer drum and from there into the inner drum from where water is discharged by and through the scoop 23, 23, 23b, 23c, 23d respectively into the discharge pipe 25, 25'. Thereupon, the spout 51 is tilted above the container 16, and valve 11b is Opened so that water flows into the container 16 which may contain the pre-washing ingredients such as alkali. The latter is now dissolved and through the overflow 52 passes into the outer drum 10, from where it passes through the limited perforated area of the inner drum into the latter. Preferably now the heating means for the water in the outer drum is turned on and the spout 51 is tilted over container 17 which contains washing ingredients as for instance soap. The water passing into container 17 then dissolves said washing ingredients which pass through the overflow pipe 53 into the water in the outer drum and from there in a continuous one-directional flow into the inner drum which now carries out the washing process proper, while water is continuously discharged from the inner drum through the scoops into pipe 25, 25. The washing ingredients and chemicals for use in connection with the washing process may be added to the water coming into the outer drum at any desired time. However, if it is desired that a greater portion of the dirt has been removed from the laundry and discharged from the inner drum before the soap or other ingredients start their reaction, the washing ingredients and the like may he filled into the containers 16 and17 and released therefrom at any appropriate time.

It is, of course, understood that prior to the washing process proper, heat, for instance in form of steam, is added to the water in the machine.

The supply of water and the addition of heat are so arranged that the maximum temperature is obtained when there still exists a concentration of washing ingredients in the outer drum, which concentration will sufiice for washing the laundry clean (clear washing). The temperature is then maintained as long as is necessary for properly washing the laundry. Thereupon the supply of heat is interrupted and the rinsing is carried out with fresh water without additional heat.

If desired, the supply of water may be increased during the rinsing process, which increase due to the increased damming up of the water in the outer drum will also increase the flow of water per time unit to the inner drum, thereby raising the water level in theinner drum for the last rinsing operation.

Summarizing the various steps occurring in connection with the operation of a washing machine according to the present invention, these steps are as follows:

(1) The machine is filled with laundry while cold water in the machine is used for soaking the laundry.

(2) The inner drum is rotated.

(3) Water is admitted in a continuous flow into the outer drum and from there into the inner drum and is continuously discharged from the inner drum into a drain, while the water level in the outer drum throughout the rotation of the inner drum is higher than the water level in said inner drum.

(4) Heat is added, for instance, in form of steam, electricity, or the like.

(5) Washing ingredients and bleaching ingredients are added preferably to the supply of water into the machine. These ingredients are first only in the outer drum. The quantity of heat, for instance, in form of steam, has to be adjusted so that, in spite of the continuously oncoming water, the water flowing out from the outer drum into the inner drum has, for instance, for a period of ten minutes the temperature of C.

The method according to the invention is very economical because the dirt drawn from the laundry during the washing operation-cannot mix with the entire bath, i.e., the water in the outer drum. The dirty bath is only in the inner drum and is directly discharged near the shaft through the scoops or perforated pockets at the partitions. The machine is also easy to operate because the washing ingredients can beadded to the water between the inner and outer drum directly at the start of the washing process proper. Since this water only gradually arrives through the perforated areas in the inner drum, and since a relatively small quantity of wash water is in the inner drum, the washing ingredients can quickly wash the laundry clear and the laundry can be rinsed quickly. The speed 'of the process depends on the water supply continuouslyentering the inner drum per time unit and also'depends on the applied chemicals, heat, etc.

(6) When after half of the time required for the total washing cycle, the maximum temperature has been obtained, the steam or heat supply is turned off.

(7) Five minutes prior to the'end of the washing cycle the acidification step is carried out.

(8) The laundry is discharged.

From the above, it will be appreciated that the operation of the washing machine according to the invention is very simple and that none of the expensive control means are required which are necessary with heretofore known washing machines of the commercial type. Once the inlet valve 11a has been properly set, no further adjustments will be necessary since the inner drum rotates practically at constant speed so that the scoops will discharge substantially the same quantity of water per time unit throughout the operation, which quantity 'must substantially equal the quantity of water admitted to the outer drum for the same time unit. If desired, an overflow 10B may communicate with the outer drum.

It should also be noted that the present invention allows an extremely efficient washing operation inasmuch as a clear wash bath is obtained in a very short time. Thus, if the inner drum contains approximately lbs. laundry (dry weight) and 2 /2 gallons of water, the bath will be much dirtier than if the inner drum contains 25 gallons of water. However, if in the first instance /2 gallon is scooped out by the scoops per one revolution of the inner drum, it will be clear that with a 2% gallon bath in the inner drum much more dirt will be scooped out per time unit than wouldfbe, possible under the same conditions with a 25 gallon bath in the inner drum.

A large bath is, therefore, not desired in the inner drum. The invention may also be employed in connection with double drum laundering machines which are loaded from one end, in which instance, if desired, the throttling of the supply of water to the inner drum for assuring a higher' water level in the outer drum than in the inner drum is effected through one end whereas the discharge is effected at the other end of the machine. With round washing machines having, for instance, a plurality of ribs orhorizontal partitions, the scooping out of the water to be discharged may be effected through corresponding perforations on the ribs and the ribs will serve partially for conveying the water toward the inner drum and partly for discharging the Water therefrom.

It is, of course, understood that the present invention is, by no means, limited to the particular constructions and arrangements shown in the drawings but also com- 7. prises any modifications within the: scope of the appended claimsr I What I claim is: v 1

1. A washing machine which comprises in combination: a stationary outer drum, an inner drum rotatable Within said outer drum and confining therewith a washing fluid receiving chamber, said inner drum being provided with partition means subdividing the interior of said inner drum into individual compartments, said inner drum also being provided with limited perforated areas extending over portions only of said inner drum and establishing a restricted communication only between said inner drum and said outer drum thereby permitting the establishment and maintenance of a higher fluid level in said chamber than in said inner drum, scoop means in the form of hollow bodies having perforated wall portions for communication with said compartments, said hollow bodies being arranged within said inner drum near the central portion thereof for scooping up washing fluid from said compartments through said perforated wall portions, and conduit means communicating with said scoop means for discharging fluid from said scoop means to the outside of said inner drum andthe outside of said chamber during rotation of said inner drum.

2. A washing machine according to claim 1, in which said limited perforated areas arecarranged in the peripheral wall of said. inner drum. t

3. A washing machine according. to claim 1, in which said limited perforated areas'are. arranged in the and surfaces of said inner drum;

4. A washing machine according to claim 1, which includes a central shaft for supporting the inner drum for rotation and in which the conduit means extend at least partially around said shaft.

5. A washing machine which comprises in combina tion: a stationary outer drum, an inner drum rotatable within said outer drum and confining therewith a washing fluid receiving chamber, said inner drum being provided with partition means subdividing the interior of said inner drum into individual compartments, said inner drum also being provided with limited perforated areas extending over portions only of said inner drum and establishing a restricted communication only between said inner drum and said outer drum thereby permitting the establishment and maintenance of a higher fluid level in said chamber than in said inner drum, scoop means in form of hollow bodies having perforated wall portions for communication with said compartments, said hollow bodies being arranged within said inner drum near the central portion thereof adjacent said partition means and at both sides thereof for scooping up washing fluid from said compartments through said perforated wall portions, and conduit means communicating with said scoop means for discharging fluid from said scoop means to the outside of said inner drum and the outside of said chamber during rotation of said inner drum.

6. A washing machine which comprises in combination: a stationary outer drum, an inner drum rotatable within said outer drum and confining therewith a Washing fluid receiving chamber, said inner drum being provided with partition means subdividing the interior of said inner drum into individual compartments, said inner drum also being provided with limited perforated areas extending over portions only of said inner drum and establishing a restricted communication only between said inner drum and said outer drum thereby permitting the establishment and maintenance of a higher fluid level in said chamber than in said inner drum, scoop means in the form of hollow bodies having perforated wall portions for communication with said compartments, said hollow bodies being arranged within said inner drum near the central portion thereof and forming a part of said partition means for scooping up washing fluid from said compartments through said perforated wall portions, and conduit means communicating with said scoop means for discharging fluid from said scoop means to the outside of said inner drum and the outside of said chamber during rotation of said inner drum.

, 7. A washing machine according to claim 1, in which the scoop means form pockets and extend at least partially over said partition means.

8. A washing machine according to claim 1, in which the scoop means are arranged near said partition means and have perforated wall portions tapering toward said partition means.

9. A washing machine according to claim 1, in which the scoop means extend substantially from the central portion of the inner drum to the inner wall surface thereof.

10. A washing machine which comprises in combination: a stationary outer drum, an inner drum rotatable; within said outer drum and. confining therewith a washing fluidreceiving chamber, said inner drum being pro vided with partition means subdividing the interior of said inner drum into individual compartments, said inner drum also being provided with limited perforated areas extending over portions only of said inner drum and establishing a restricted communication only between said inner drum and said outer drum thereby permitting the establishment and maintenance of a higher fluid level in said chamber than in said inner drum, scoop means in the form of hollow bodies having perforated wall portions for communication with said compartments, said hollow bodies being arranged within said inner drum near the central portion thereof for scooping up washing fluid from said compartments through said perforated wall portions, and a hollow shaft supporting said inner drum and communicating with the interior of said scoop means and leading to the outside of said outer drum for discharging fluid from the interior of said scoop means to the outside of said outer drum.

11. A washing machine according to claim 1, in which said scoop means have partition means extending from the wall of said inner drum into but being shorter than said scoop means whereby said partition means sub-divide said scoop means into continuously intercommunicating pockets.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 499,937 Renson June 20, 1893 1,010,637 Kircheis Dec. 5, 1911 1,060,954 Skitt May 6, 1913 1,200,433 Allsop Oct. 3, 1916 1,434,595 Davis Nov. 7, 1922 2,051,014 Strobridge Aug. 11, 1936 2,062,021 Gerlach Nov. 24, 1936 2,243,325 Windell May 27, 1941 2,264,846 Huebsch Dec. 2, 1941 2,289,515 Mathews July 14, 1942 2,422,897 Hebard et al. June 24, 1947 2,516,327 Kuhn July 25, 1950 2,700,287 Sulzmann Jan. 25, 1955 2,787,150 Sulzmann Apr. 2, 1957' FOREIGN PATENTS 215,419 Germany Oct. 29, 1909 

